NEW YORK: The visit of the Akal Academy students to the Washington and New York area moved every Sikh heart. The Sweet, disciplined young persons along with their two teachers, all in white uniforms and keskis, were the focus of all eyes wherever they visited. Their excellent performance matched those of professional Ragis and Dhadis. Rather it proved more effective and soothing coming out of the mouth of these budding youth, two of which could hardly reach the harmonium.

The group arrived on April 9,1992 in New York. They remained awfully busy, driving 3-7 hours and performing every day. It was very hard on these children but they enjoyed every moment of their tour. On Sundays there was more than six hours of singing, but no symptoms of fatigue showed on their faces. They were very much encouraged by the unprecedented appreciative response to their performance.

In Washington, they were received by Dr. Rachpal Singh at the Guru Nanak Foundation Gurdwara, Maryland. The programs were arranged by Sardar Amarjit Singh Gill. The spellbound sangat listened to the group on April 10 & 12 at the Maryland Gurdwara and on the 11th & 12th at the Sikh Foundation of Virginia Gurdwara. During their second weekend, the group presented their unique program at the Gurdwara Glen Rock, NJ on the 17th, Bridgewater NJ on the 18th and 19th, and Richmond Hill NY, on the 19th. Some Sikhs followed the Akal Academy group even when they had to drive more than two hours one way. They were virtually hypnotized by the excellent kirtan and singing of poems and Vars by the children.

During the week days, members of the outside Sangats invited the visiting students to their towns. The sangat of Williamsburg, VA, Rochester and Hartford NY, Boston MA, also enjoyed the rare chance of listening to the devoted kirtan by the children.

The American-born young Sikhs were very much impressed by the Akal Academy youth. About a dozen local youth decided to pay a visit to Akal Academy Baru, Himachal Pradesh during their upcoming summer vacations. They want to enjoy the divine environment there while learning Gurmat and Sikh music.

The Academy is registered with the Central Board of School Education, New Delhi, The top performance of the students in the all India examination drew the attention of the Sikhs not only in India but also those living abroad, They invited the Academy students to their critics, The word of their high standard of singing kirtan in different cities of India reached both the East and the West. Their successful visit to Singapore and other counties motivated North American Sikhs to send repeated invitations to the Akal Academy authorities. As a consequence of this, a one and a half month visit of the students was planned for North America.

The group is led by Baba Iqbal Singh, President of the Baru Trust and his associate Baba Harbhajan Singh of the Kar Sewa Group, an Organization that builds gurdwaras in India. They were received at the JFK airport, NY, by Sardar Amar Singh Gill, president of the Bridgewater Gurdwara, Dr. M.S. Atwal of Sikh Education Foundation of North America, and other members of the local sangat.

After their east coast visit, the group reached California from where they will go to Vancouver, Toronto,

Article extracted from this publication >> May 15, 1992